Portuguese · Places
How to pronounce Rio de Janeiro in Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro (place name)
Brazilian Portuguese; reference: Brazil · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
Rio de Janeiro is pronounced /ˈʁi.u d͡ʒi ʒaˈne(j).ɾu/ in Portuguese. In Rio de Janeiro: The IPA shows a joined “ch” or “j” sound. This occurs in many Brazilian pronunciations before an i-like vowel. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in Rio de Janeiro
Read Rio de Janeiro in these IPA segments: ˈʁi · u d͡ʒi ʒa · ˈne(j) · ɾu. Dots and stress marks identify the boundaries shown in the reference; these symbols are not English spelling. The mark /ˈ/ comes immediately before the main stressed syllable. Give that syllable a little more prominence without swallowing the others.
1.A softened stop
In Rio de Janeiro: The IPA shows a joined “ch” or “j” sound. This occurs in many Brazilian pronunciations before an i-like vowel.
Watch out: Use the recorded variety as your model; other Brazilian accents can keep a plain t or d here.
2.A light tapped r /ɾ/
In Rio de Janeiro: Touch the tongue tip briefly to the ridge behind the upper teeth, then move straight to the next sound.
Watch out: Do not hold a strong English r in this position.
3.A steady /e/ vowel
In Rio de Janeiro: Keep the tongue toward the front and sustain a single /e/ vowel. Listen for its exact height in the recording.
Watch out: English “ay” often ends with a glide; do not automatically carry that glide into this vowel.
Hear it in context
Nosso destino é Rio de Janeiro.
Our destination is Rio de Janeiro.
Listen once, say it aloud, then replay at 1.00×. Keep the word connected to the surrounding sentence rather than giving every syllable equal weight.
Pronunciation and variety
The recording uses a Brazilian Portuguese voice for Rio de Janeiro. Portuguese in Portugal and other regions can differ in vowel reduction and consonants. The reference may list several realizations; the transcription here is selected for a Brazilian or unmarked pronunciation.
The English-style respelling is approximate. Use the IPA and recording together for vowel quality and consonants that do not have an exact English equivalent.
Questions about Rio de Janeiro
How do you pronounce Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro is pronounced /ˈʁi.u d͡ʒi ʒaˈne(j).ɾu/ in Portuguese. In Rio de Janeiro: The IPA shows a joined “ch” or “j” sound. This occurs in many Brazilian pronunciations before an i-like vowel. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In Rio de Janeiro: The IPA shows a joined “ch” or “j” sound. This occurs in many Brazilian pronunciations before an i-like vowel. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
